QT: Against My Will-Chapter 552 - 8.69 - Liam’s Mental Journey - Monster Heist

Chapter 552: 8.69 - Liam’s Mental Journey - Monster Heist

Reflecting on his history, Liam took a mental journey back in time.

° Determined to expose Liam’s family’s entitled behavior, Riley had infiltrated their lavish properties and recorded their cruel mockery towards their employees. He also baited them into attacking activists, and captured the evidence of their aggression.

° However, it wasn’t these actions that led to their downfall, but rather their involvement in illegal dealings.

° Most of their wealth came from shady practices, primarily focusing on money laundering, and investment scams.

° During his studies, Liam dedicated himself to rebuilding his family’s wealth and reputation.

° However, the allure of quick profits and the temptation to return to his former life of luxury and power proved difficult to resist — leading him to engage in dubious dealings and illegal transactions while becoming more skilled at covering his tracks.

Liam introduced Shina’s team to his family, which greeted them with smug superiority, their noses held high in the air. They oozed entitlement like a noxious cloud due to their son topping the LAD examination.

"This is Victor Egerton, from the esteemed Egerton lineage," Liam said, emphasizing the words ’Egerton lineage’.

"Oh, Liam, your ability to build such strong, valuable connections never fails to impress me," his mother remarked with a haughty smile. "It’s no surprise that you’re the one running the show."

His family members chuckled condescendingly. They exchanged knowing glances as if they had expected nothing less from their outstanding son.

"..." Shina’s team exchanged amused glances, trying to maintain their composure in the face of such arrogance. They had expected Liam’s family to be condescending, but they hadn’t anticipated the extent of their superiority complex.

His father stepped forward, scrutinizing Shina’s team with a dismissive gaze before his eyes stopped on Shina Night, "You must be Shina..."

Liam immediately stepped in, whispering a few words to his father’s ear, ’What the fuck old man?’ He brought in Victor Egerton! Egerton! Weren’t they obsessed with gaining connections with the top clans? Now they had an opportunity, so show him some face and stop bothering his Lady.

Without delay, Liam’s father summoned a maid to guide Shina Night and her team to their accommodations. He told them that dinner would be ready at seven o’clock before rubbing his hands with a wide smile.

Liam firmly gripped Juliet’s arm, "You and Leon stay as well," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ru Quan covered his mouth to cover his chuckle when he noticed the slight twitch at the corner of Victor’s mouth, who realized that he had been played by Liam.

As the team’s operations grew more elaborate and their stakes higher, Liam’s skills became even more critical. He utilized his paradoxical portrayal of an inferior alpha with arrogance and overconfidence as a strategic tool.

It was a dangerous game of manipulation, but one that Liam excelled at.

Liam’s father cleared his throat, capturing everyone’s attention after they seated themselves on the sofas in the living room.

"I take great pleasure in introducing you to someone special," Liam’s father continued, his eyes glowing with pride, "My daughter, a rare gifted omega, Stephanie Stevens," he announced, "Also known as this country’s top idol."

A young omega girl stepped further into the room with an aura of calm grace. The room buzzed with a heightened sense of curiosity as all eyes turned to regard her with newfound interest.

Her ash brown hair cascaded down to her waist, and her eyes sparkled with unusual innocence. She was dressed modestly, from the soft fabric to the tasteful accessories.

Predicting the trajectory of the situation, the three alphas — Victor, Ru Quan, and Juliet — abruptly rose from their seats. Without a word, they vacated the living room, leaving a stunned silence in their wake.

No sooner had the alphas left the room, that the young Omega girl’s brave facade crumbled. Throwing herself into her brother’s arms, she wept openly, her small body shaking with sobs, "Why did they leave? I don’t understand. Is there something wrong with me?"

"There’s nothing wrong with you," Liam reassured her, his voice gentle and spoiling. "You are perfect just as you are. If anyone is at fault here, it’s them. They don’t realize what they’ve just walked away from."

Liam was just as baffled. His sister could also be innocent and sweet on the outside and ruthless on the inside just like Silvia. He understood that his sister might not have been Juliet’s type while Leon was currently married to Shina, but he couldn’t comprehend Victor’s sudden departure.

With a reassuring squeeze, Liam leaned in to whisper into his sister’s ear. "Victor’s room is on the second floor, next to yours," he said, a subtle hint that maybe she should seek out the enigmatic alpha.

Understanding dawned in Stephanie’s eyes and she gave a small nod to her brother and father before leaving the room.

"I’ve spoiled her her whole life, it’s about time she is put to good use," Liam’s father declared, his tone disturbingly detached as if she were an inanimate object, rather than a living being, "Can’t even make a single Alpha stay," he continued, his disapproval apparent, "I won’t let her be tied to some insignificant family beneath our standing. She better play her part with the Egertons accordingly."

Liam moved silently to the sideboard, pouring himself a drink, "If she doesn’t succeed, it won’t be her failure. We’ve reached the pinnacle of what our methods will get us. Push any further, and we’ll crumble again beyond repair."

His father’s fists clenched at his sides as if gathering the strength for a rebuttal that would tear through the room. But the strength never came.

Liam turned his back on his father to signify his utter lack of respect for the man he once looked up to, "I introduced Stephanie to the Alphas because you wanted it, but let’s be clear: you only got to meet them because of my connection with Shina Night. So don’t mistake this for your achievement or your influence."

"They were in this room because she allowed it, not because you earned it. The only approval that should matter to you is Shina Night’s. If she’s not impressed, everything else is irrelevant," Liam continued as he watched the amber liquid swirl in the glass, he was reminded of a darker time.

When their family was on the brink of downfall, they had been ready to sell his sister off, like some sort of commodity, in a desperate attempt to salvage their fortune.

Liam realized that blood ties meant nothing to his family. Though he didn’t allow them to sell off his sister to another family, he pushed her into becoming an idol and used her as a ladder to raise his status.

They would have discarded Liam like nothing if he no longer held any value too. The cold reality of it all made the whiskey taste harsher, more poignant, on his tongue.

· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·

Shina’s team couldn’t help but wonder what had motivated their Lady to include Victor, but whatever it was, she encouraged them to humble him down.

Since Liam usually stood on the opposite side of the team, he played his role, pretending to be in awe of Victor’s accomplishments and feigning admiration for his lifestyle.

Liam was like a sieve, making anyone who wanted to join Shina Night’s team to think thrice. With skin as thick as a rhinoceros, he paraded his perceived superiority with unabashed confidence.

· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·

|"I’m so full,"| Bing Shi patted her inflated tummy, feeling quite full from the tolerance she had accumulated during this trip.

|"From what?"| Ru Quan poked her puffed-up stomach, causing her to deflate it to its original state, "..."

|"From everything."| Bing Shi replied, taking off her mask to wash her face.

Ru Quan leaned down to kiss the back of her neck, |"I can excuse you from dinner if you want."|

Bing Shi nodded happily, staring at her reflection in the mirror, "What do you think about Liam?"

Ru Quan paused, his fingers trailing down her arm as he pondered her question. "Liam? He’s complex, no doubt," he said, "He is a bit hard to read sometimes."

Liam was constantly on the brink of betraying her, or so it seemed, yet he never crossed that line.

"Isn’t he? I think he is the strongest member, like he loves to say, but it’s difficult to prove it with his usual mischief," Bing Shi continued.

Her eyes narrowed as if trying to unravel a puzzle, "He’s such a valuable asset to our team. Did you see how everyone reacted when he began to flex around? They seemed ready to tear him apart, but when he handled Victor, they suddenly began to bear his attitude, haha."

"Mm, as long as you are having fun," Ru Quan gently cupped her chin, turning her towards him before tenderly kissing her lips. Finally, she was there in his arms, just where he wanted her to be.

Good heavens, her lips...

· · ────────── · ⊱❈⊰· ────────── · ·

Nathaniel suddenly felt an intense warmth spreading through his body. It was as though a flame had been kindled within him, radiating heat from his core to the very tips of his fingers and toes, "..."

Just as he was about to speak, Xuan Mu severed their connection with a swiftness that was taunting at least. It was like thawing a frozen turkey on a sunny beach. One couldn’t help but melt a little.

’Why take pity on him?’ Ziek inquired.

’Pity?’ Xuan Mu nonchalantly shrugged, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, ’It’s about time we shake Nathaniel and Shina out of their characters.’

Ru Quan couldn’t help but ask, ’Are you planning to become the world’s law yourself and force their love story?’

Xuan Mu returned his amusement with soft laughter, ’Sometimes, meddling with fate can lead to the most entertaining outcomes. I didn’t put her into the body of a female lead without a reason after all.’